Texas A&M; (24-8), the defending champion, led by 10 points in the first half but couldn’t match Tennessee’s inside game. The Lady Vols took a 48-26 advantage in rebounds and 26-4 in second-chance points.

“Our first-shot defense was as good as anybody’s,” Blair said. “It’s the second shot and third shot when we couldn’t keep them off the boards.

“I’ve seen Tennessee rebound like that since 1980. That’s just a trademark.”